Amid fears of Zika virus, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro is getting ready to host Olympic Games in August this year. But the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has jolted the host by suggesting US athletes not to visit the country affected with the mosquito-borne flavivirus.

Officials at the USOC, sports federation of the US based in Colorado Springs, told US sports federations in a conference that the nation’s sportspersons and other staff members who concerned for their health over the deadly Zika virus can avoid the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The conference was held in the last week of January involved the federation officials and leaders, said two individuals who were also part of that secret meeting. Donald Anthony, president and board chairman of USA Fencing, accepted that a meeting was held, and it was decided that athletes and staff members who are not comfortable visiting Rio de Janeiro should not go to Zika affected Brazil.

The latest move of the USOC has proved that Olympics officials are in no mood to compromise with Zika threat. The federation officials think the mosquito-borne disease could affect the games in Rio de Janeiro seriously. The USOC also revealed that at least some sportsperson and support staff could decide not to visit the games venue.

Health authorities around the world have already linked Zika virus and microcephaly in newborns in Brazil. Microcephaly is a defect where a baby has small head as compared to other babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) had announced 1 February as an international health emergency due to the virus.

In addition, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already issued health warnings for pregnant women where they are asked not to visit locations linked to Zika virus.